Welcome TO HAYS COUNTY!
Hays County is located in Central Texas. It was established in 1848. Our County Seat is San Marcos. Visit this
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Announcements
To view the original notice, click here FILED HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS at 8:15 o'clock AM.
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To view the original notice, click here . Hays County Salary Grievance Hearing – September 3, 2025 NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING OF THE SALARY GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE OF HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS This Notice is posted by the Hays County Judge pursuant to the Texas Open Meetings Act. (VERNONS TEXAS CODES ANN. GOV. CODE CH.551) and Chapter 152 of the Texas Local Government Code. The Hays County Salary Grievance Committee will hold a Public Hearing at 1:30 P.M. on the 3 rd day of September, 2025 , in the Hays County Courthouse, Room 301, San Marcos, Texas. A Public Hearing will be held concerning the following subjects: CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL 1. Presentation from counsel regarding Salary Grievance Committee procedures. 2. Hearing(s) regarding Grievances filed by elected officials in response the FY2026 budget. 3. Deliberation of Committee regarding Grievances filed. 4. Vote of Committee for each Grievance by paper ballot (or by other means, as determined by Committee). ADJOURNMENT Posted by or before three business days before the meeting SALARY GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE, HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS ______________________________________________ COUNTY CLERK Hays County encourages compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the conduct of all public meetings. To that end, persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who may need auxiliary aids such as an interpreter for a person who is hearing impaired are requested to contact the Hays County Judge’s Office at (512) 393-2205 as soon as the meeting is posted (Three (3) business days before the meeting) or as soon as practical so that appropriate arrangements can be made. While it would be helpful to receive as much advance notice as possible, Hays County will make every reasonable effort to accommodate any valid request regardless of when it is received. Braille is not available.
News
SAN MARCOS , Texas – The Office of Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced today that 44-year-old Cameron Moore, formerly of Bexar County, Texas, was convicted of burglary of a habitation with felonious intent, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, tampering with a witness and endangering a child by Hays County District Court Judge Sherri Tibbe on September 19, 2025. Judge Tibbe assessed a sentence of life in prison. In May of 2019, Moore was prosecuted for violence against the same victim for offenses of aggravated kidnapping, attempted capital murder, stalking, and violation of a protective order. Evidence was presented to a Hays County jury in the 2019 trial that showed that Moore had installed a GPS device on the victim’s vehicle and followed her to the police station, where he proceeded to strangle her in the parking lot. He had a zip tie and a pocketknife on his person. Moore had also stalked the victim multiple times and continuously abused her throughout the course of their eight-year relationship. The jury in that trial returned a verdict convicting Moore of lesser-included offenses and assessed a 10-year sentence. While incarcerated following the 2019 conviction, Moore made ongoing threats of violence against another victim. The state had concerns that Moore would continue to pose a threat to the community generally and to the victims specifically. He was prosecuted for the additional offenses to ensure the protection of the community. Assistant District Attorneys Katie Arnold and Courtney Hanson prosecuted this case. “We’d like to thank the survivor in this case. Without her ongoing determination and bravery, we would not be able to ensure that such a violent criminal was behind bars. It’s been a long journey for her, and we’re pleased that she will be safe from him, as well as any other women that cross his path,” said Arnold. # # #
SAN MARCOS, Texas – Following a final public hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 16, the Hays County Commissioners Court voted, 4-1, to adopt a tax rate of $.3999 per $100 valuation and a balanced budget for fiscal year 2026. In the FY26 budget, funds were approved at a total of $373,849,226, comprising operating funds of $248,226,263, debt funds of $55,300,195, and construction funds of $70,322,768. The FY26 budget focuses on key initiatives to address capital infrastructure needs, including road improvements and county facilities, as well as funding to continue essential judicial services. Additionally, it allocates funds to partner with local municipalities and non-profits for enhanced animal welfare services. The budget is expected to raise more revenue from property taxes than last year’s budget by $16.9 million, representing an 11.27% increase. The property tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year is $6.9 million. According to Vickie Dorsett, Hays County Budget Officer, the average home value is $460,169, representing an annual property tax increase of $225.87 for the Hays County tax portion only. “Property taxes are the primary source of revenue for counties in Texas, and our Commissioners Court is dedicated to maintaining a low tax rate while balancing the growing infrastructure needs and providing superior services to the citizens of Hays County,” Dorsett said. One of the key indicators of the tax rate is population, she said. Since 2010, the population in Hays County has grown by 93% while the tax rate has consistently decreased during that period. Since 2000, the population has increased by 210%. These are the drivers for the need for additional services. “While the tax rate has gone down consistently over the years, the recent [tax rate] increases, are directly attributed to the addition of services the County is now providing – additional Judicial Services related to pre-trial services, additional magistration, the Public Defender’s Office, animal welfare services and more – which alone account for a $.0125 increase on the tax rate,” Dorsett said. “The judicial aspect of this is essential in reducing recidivism in Hays County. These are programs for which we haven’t had to tax citizens in the past due to available American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.” “This budget reflects both the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly growing county,” said Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra. “We are delivering essential services — from judicial and public safety programs to public infrastructure and mental health support — while keeping the tax rate among the lowest in the region. Our responsibility is to balance fiscal accountability with the needs of our community, and I believe this budget strikes that balance for the people of Hays County.” Following the budget hearing, the court also voted unanimously, 5-0, to approve the FY26 salaries and allowances for elected officials. For more information or to view budget documents, visit www.hayscountytx.gov/budget-office.
KYLE, Texas – The Hays County Office of Emergency Services (OES), in partnership with the City of Kyle, hosted the 8th Annual Emergency Preparedness Fair on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at La Verde Park. Hundreds of residents joined local first responders, volunteers, and community partners. “The 8th Annual Preparedness Fair was a tremendous success thanks to the incredible engagement from our community and our dedicated partners,” said Hays County OES Director Mike Jones. “Together, we were able to educate and empower residents with the knowledge and resources they need to be prepared for any disaster.” The fair featured hands-on safety demonstrations, preparedness resources, interactive exhibits and live music entertainment. Guests explored emergency vehicles, participated in CPR and fire extinguisher training and learned how to create personalized emergency go-kits. A highlight of the day was the 3rd Annual Top Dawg Chili Cook-Off. Phillip Gilreath from Arkansas was the First Place Winner, Kent Cawley was second place (by 1 point), and Emergency Service District (ESD) 3 South Hays Fire was third place. They retained the Top Dawg traveling trophy between Hays County ESDs and also won the People’s Choice Award. Proceeds from the cook-off benefit the firefighters of Hays County, helping fund firefighter training and replace equipment lost during wildfire responses. The event was powered by community support, with 67 CERT members volunteering and 17 non-CERT volunteer partners participating, totaling 668.7 volunteer hours. Families enjoyed live performances by Two Tons of Steel and the Cody Sparks Band, participated in raffles and a silent auction, and engaged directly with local emergency personnel. The fair blended entertainment with education, ensuring attendees left better prepared for emergencies of all kinds. “Building resilience starts with awareness, and this event showed the strength of our community when we come together,” Jones added. For more information on preparedness resources and upcoming events, visit https://www.haysinformed.com .
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